AIRLIFT TO MYANMAR

Samaritan's Purse has begun flights of emergency aid to help people suffering in the aftermath of the cyclone ...

May 14 2008

God has answered prayers and is opening doors for Samaritan's Purse to begin delivering emergency supplies to survivors of the killer cyclone in Myanmar.

A cargo plane chartered by Samaritan’s Purse is flying into Myanmar on Wednesday, bringing desperately needed water purification kits, heavy-duty plastic for temporary shelters, clothing, and thousands of blankets and mosquito nets.

More flights are planned in the days ahead to deliver community water systems, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and even an inflatable boat to be used in delivering help.

Reports on Monday indicated that many survivors are still stranded on islands and up to 100,000 have received absolutely no help. The storm killed tens of thousands of people and left more than a million homeless with virtually no food or drinking water.

The community water filters can clean 10,000 gallons a day, enough to meet the daily needs in a camp of 3,000 people. Samaritan’s Purse is sending 12 of these filters to Myanmar.

Samaritan’s Purse has a team in Myanmar that includes specialists trained in providing food and water in crisis situations. We are working with local churches and Christian leaders to establish feeding centers and distribute aid as we demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ.

Our team is reporting a desperate situation in the aftermath of what appears to be the deadliest storm of the 21st century.

“The city and country are in shock,” said one team member. “Yangon has been heavily hit. Trees and power lines are down, and water availability is severely limited.”

Yangon, the capital city of Myanmar, is located in the Irrawaddy delta, which took a direct hit from Cyclone Nargis. A 12-foot storm surge swept away entire towns and villages, and nearly 2,000 square miles of the delta are still underwater. Many of the roads and bridges have been washed out. Myanmar's rice-growing heartland has been badly damaged, threatening long-term food shortages for survivors.

A desperate plea was found written in Burmese on an asphalt road in one stricken village: “We are all in trouble. Please come help us.” Nearby was another urgent message: “We're hungry.”

Read Updates

- May 13 2008 (PDF)
- May 14 2008 (PDF)